Since the introduction of the first iOS-powered device back in 2007, Apple has partnered with Google to provide the default Maps application within iOS. However, over the last three years, the relationship between the two companies turned sour, as Google launched its own mobile operating system, and started to compete with Apple on several fronts.
Yesterday, Apple posted several new iOS-related job openings on its corporate website, all apparently focused on navigation technologies. The new hires are expected to help build Apple’s own maps and navigation services.

Apple is looking for candidates extremely familiar with the development of navigation software on a massive scale, and the job descriptions explicitly mention Apple’s hosted platforms, alluding to the fact that the new software could be cloud-based, and would leverage Apple’s new data center, in North Carolina.
A year ago, Google introduced its own turn-by-turn app for Android devices, and yesterday, Google introduced a new version of its Maps app for Android as well, offering new features such as an offline mode, as well as a new 3D view mode. In comparison, the iOS version of the app currently offers very basic features.